[sbe-eas] Question for the group about the new MEP EAS Code

[Lowell Kiesow]

EAS belongs to broadcasters and access to it is granted to our government
partners.  There should be a strong incentive to use the tools carefully
because the "tune out and turn off" factor is very strong, especially with
WEA. The analogy I use is to treat EAS like a loaded gun. Treat WEA like an
armed nuclear bomb. Use them when needed, but only when absolutely needed.

Lowell Kiesow
Chief Engineer
*88* <http://knkx.org/>*.* <http://www.jazz24.org/>*5 FM KNKX*
<http://knkx.org/> ●*  Jazz24.org <http://www.jazz24.org/>*
lkiesow at knkx.org ●
[image: knkx.org] <http://knkx.org>


On Sat, Aug 17, 2024 at 3:18 PM Sean Donelan <sean at donelan.com> wrote:

>
> In most states local governments use (or do not use) alert systems how
> ever they want, without regard to anything written by the unofficial,
> volunteer SECCs.  Unlike broadcasters, wireless providers do not pick &
> choose individual alerts.  Although WEA is 'voluntary,' its all or
> nothing.
>
> Based on my monitoring of broadcasters in a few large metro areas,
> besides Local-Primar (LP) stations, very few of the 18,000 broadcasters
> carry Amber alerts.  I expect even fewer will interrupt programming for
> the new MEP codes.
>
> The number of missing people, as defined by FBI NCIC data, peaked at just
> under 1 million people per year in 1998.  And has fallen to around
> 600,000 reports per year in 2022. About 99% of the missing reports
> are eventually resolved.  Stranger abductions remain rare, most are
> a non-custodial parent or runaways.
>
> The FCC has no data to measure the performance of MEP or to make its
> decision other than 'vibes' and 'politics.'
>
> Shouting into the void.
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